violin

American  

[vahy-uh-lin] / ˌvaɪ əˈlɪn /

noun

1. the treble instrument of the family of modern bowed instruments, held nearly horizontal by the player's arm with the lower part supported against the collarbone or shoulder.

2. a violinist or part for a violin.

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violin British  

/ ˌvaɪəˈlɪn /

noun

1. a bowed stringed instrument, the highest member of the violin family, consisting of a fingerboard, a hollow wooden body with waisted sides, and a sounding board connected to the back by means of a soundpost that also supports the bridge. It has two f-shaped sound holes cut in the belly. The instrument, noted for its fine and flexible tone, is the most important of the stringed instruments. It is held under the chin when played. Range: roughly three and a half octaves upwards from G below middle C

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violin Cultural  

1. The most familiar and highest-pitched instrument of the strings. A typical symphony orchestra has more than two dozen violinists.

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Etymology

Origin of violin

1570–80; < Italian violino, equivalent to viol ( a ) ( viola ¹ ) + -ino diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

It bursts with insights that mix journalistic acumen with gossip, backed by a score generously seasoned with mischievous violin string plucking.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

Abdulmejid loved European culture, quoted French and German poetry, and played the cello, violin and piano.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

"There's a lot of me playing a really cheap, small violin," he says.

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

The 37-year-old classical violinist lives in Tempe, Ariz., and makes a living with a mix of part-time jobs, including teaching violin lessons and playing weddings.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 24, 2026

The bow of the violin, the part that moved, was his back leg.

From "James and the Giant Peach" by Roald Dahl

Related Words

• fiddle